Reelin Glycoprotein Structure, Biology and Roles in Health and Disease

Reelin glycoprotein is a serine protease with important roles in embryogenesis and during adult life. Reelin mutations or deficiency of the protein product could cause abnormal cortical development and reelin signaling impairment in brain. Reelin abnormalities in several neurospychiatric disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia, mood disorders and lissencephaly, may provide mechanistic explanations for etiologies of these disorders. There is also emerging data indicating the feasibility of using various medications (valproic acid, olanzapine) to increase mRNA/protein levels for reelin and/or gene therapy to prevent or treat reelin deficiencies observed in the above-mentioned disorders. This comprehensive and integrative book examines the role that reelin plays in the etiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and autism.